ST8807-CS 861010 . , ----,
The C~ty W~th A tBea,_t~f,~l Future
FEDERAL EXPRESS
Lou Duggan
Mayor
October 10, 1986
Mr. Bob McClanahan
Division Superintendent
St. Louis Southwestern Railway Company
1400 East Second
Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601
RE: Railroad Crossing at..Royal Lane in Coppell, Texas
Dear Bob:
The purpose of this letter is to direct your attention to a
proposed railroad crossing at Royal Lane in Coppell, Texas. The
City of Coppell is formally requesting approval of this crossing.
As noted by our attached resolution, we are actively engaged in
completing the southern extension of Royal Lane. The bottom line
of this correspondence is for request of a grade crossing of the
St. Louis and Southwestern tracks.
This extension of Royal Lane has been designated on the City's
official thoroughfare plan for many years and should come as no
surprise to you. The southern extension of Royal Lane,
connecting Bethel Road and IH-635, has recently become a needed
artery to better distribute Coppell traffic as well as traffic in
transit to our neighboring cities in northwest Dallas County.
In addition, the U. S. Postal Service recently announced its
intention to locate a General Mail Facility, of approximately
500,000 sq. ft., in this area. Coppell is extremely interested
in having the facility located in our city. If selected, this
facility will create approximately 500 jobs and increased
opportunities for further economic growth. As we understand it,
a 70-acre site in Coppell is being seriously considered for the
facility. We would like to see this site chosen by the Postal
Service. The location of the postal facility at this site would
also be of material benefit to your company's landholdings in the
area. Attached is the most recently prepared survey of this
site.
In addition to our contact with you, we have initiated contact
with the D/FW International Airport and the State Highway
Department to coordinate this project. These entities are
cooperating fully with Coppell to facilitate the southern
extension of Royal Lane.
St. Louis Southwestern RaiIway Company
October 10, 1986
Continued, Page-2-
Bob, we have examined a number of alternatives to a grade
crossing at this location and for a variety of reasons -- cost,
engineering concerns, health, safety and other reasons -- these
alternatives have been ruled out. Therefore, the Coppell City
Council has endorsed an at-grade crossing for this location. As
a result, I have enclosed drawings for the at-grade crossing and
accompanying signalization.
I ask that you use these drawings for the initiation of the
review process to eliminate any delay in getting this crossing
approved. Additionally, we are in the process of finalizing
detailed construction plans for the crossing, stacking lane,
switch relocations, and signalization. These should be completed
and forwarded to you on or about October 17, 1986.
It also appears that a switch needs to be relocated to
accommodate the crossing. Schematics are enclosed which detail a
relocation of that switch. Also enclosed are proposed easement
descriptions, paving improvement and drainage plans.
We have also received a private commitment to fund the design and
construction of both the southern extension of Royal Lane and the
at-grade crossing of your tracks, along with a signal plan for
the crossing. This commitment is obviously extended only for a
limited time. Thus, we endeavor to expedite the matter.
It is our desire that Coppell receive the cooperation of the
Railway in this matter. It is my hope that this new project can
create a much needed rapport between our City and your Railway's
interests in Coppell. The enclosed copy of a resolution recently
passed by the City further expresses our position. Time is of
the essence. None of us wishes to lose the postal facility and
the jobs it represents for our City. I would appreciate your
reviewing this matter closely and calling me no later than
Monday, October 20, 1986, with your comments.
I appreciate your help in this matter.
Sincerely,
Lou Duggan
Mayor
LD/sk
Enclosures / .... ,~:~, ~ ~,, ....
e~.cc: Mr. David Andrews